The BCCI is yet to announce the retention rules for IPL 2025. Mumbai Indians is one franchise that will have the toughest decisions to make. Considering their display in IPL 2024, they might have to take some tough decisions. Here, we take a look at the list of three bold retention calls Mumbai Indians could take before IPL 2025.
1) Release Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has been doing well for India but he was not that great in IPL 2024. He is not the captain of the Indian Team now anyway.
It appeared that Hardik‘s move to MI may not have gone down well in the dressing room. Considering the other talented players in the setup, MI could consider releasing Hardik, despite the big-money move from Gujarat Titans just one season ago.
2) Retain Tilak Varma
Retaining Tilak Varma is one of the bold retention calls Mumbai Indians could take before IPL 2025. He is a left-handed middle-order batter who is good against spin. Plus, he can offer a few overs of spin and he is very young and is developing.
A future captain material, Tilak should be one of the retentions because of his profile. All other franchises will want a player like him. Hence, MI could consider their future and take the bold call of retaining the Hyderabad man.
3) Agree the same salary for the first two retentions
In the past, whenever a pacer got sold for a hefty amount, Jasprit Bumrah had a sarcastic story or post. Mumbai Indians have more than one marquee players and at times, it could be important to keep all of them happy.
In the last retention, MI had a hierarchy in salaries before the Mega Auction. However, this time around, even if it has an impact on their purse for the auction, they should have similar salaries for at least the first two retentions.
